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Monday, January 16

Imagine the Impossibilities

I've decided to join (a little late) the Imagine the Impossibilities Challenge. The basic idea is to think of one super daunting task, something that at first thought seems impossible, and pull it off by the end of January. You can find more details at The Space Between and see some of their examples (like sewing a bag, making homemade bread, and cleaning out the basement) and while your there go ahead an challenge yourself to embrace the impossible this month! Why not, right? :)

After Karah invited me to join the challenge, I started thinking about some of the daunting goals I have for our house. Some things unfortunately had to be eliminated - like concrete countertops (because they won't set right if pour them in the winter) and gutting the bathrooms (which still requires some serious money saving first). So I narrowed down my list to things that can be done in the frozen tundra for next to nothing. And I found my winner. Enter - my basement. While we still have a long list of projects to tackle down there, one big, super annoying, put off for far too long project to tackle...is the junk. Boy oh boy. A years worth of random I-don't-know-where-to-put-this-so-I'll-throw-it-down-there stuff in unorganized piles. But besides the junk I'm going a little bit further. I want this to be a functional, liveable space that we can go ahead and use even though it's not totally finished. I want to figure out what kind of layout we want down there, get things organized where I want them, and find ways to divide up the space. And whatever we use needs to be basement friendly because it is definitely possible to get water down there during storms. Here is a rough layout of the basement:

Here's what we need down there when it's all said and done:

laundry area that looks nice or is hidden

bar & living space

craft/game table & storage

freezer

long term storage for baby clothes & seasonal items

permanent storage for tools

pantry area

space dividers to keep storage out of site from living area

I have a few ideas for how to pull all this off. I would love to do enclosed storage units (like below) to keep everything hidden, but that's not in the budget right now.

I have a few industrial type shelving units down there for now so I need to find a way to hide them from view since they are out in the open. So I'm thinking about doing some kind of space divider to section the storage off from the living space. Maybe a solid wall?

this divider won't work for our basement, but it is SO cool - via pinterest

So I have big goals, but for now I'm working with what I have to get things just organized and liveable. I'll keep you posted and let you know if I get it done this month! Do you have any impossibility to tackle?

8 comments:

My biggest project that needs to be finished is painting my cielings and closet doors. The one bonus to living in a small space, is that I don't have room to throw stuff without it looking like a torado went through the room. Today I have been slowly working on my "loffice" so that I can get to items and work in the room. My brother in Crystal Lake built sliding floor to cieling panels in two of his basement rooms to create storage and hide the laundry/utility area. I think my dad helped them. Have fun tackeling your basement and piles :D

You are a painting fiend! Our house usually looks like a tornado went through. I'm working on it. :)Panels sound so cool! I would love to do something like that, but I think our basement is an awkward layout for it. Unless I can get your dad to come figure it out for me. :)

Thanks Karah! I can't wait to see what I come up with either. Ha! Hopefully something before the end of the month. ;)I'm really hoping to find some decent pallets so i can give it a try!Thanks for stopping by!

Welcome to the "Impossibilities" challenge ... so glad you're joining us! Love your inspiration and I can't wait to see the finished product. I'm looking for some inspiration for what to do with my very own basement ...

WELCOME aboard the Impossibilities train : ) so glad to meet you and so glad to see that you are joining us! i can't wait to see the finished product i am sure it is going to be awesome! wishing you all the inspiration in the world!!!! hugs... your newest follower

Hi! I'm Georgia! I'm a full time wife & mommy, a lover of yard sales, curb finds, DIY, and all things thrifty. I'm always looking for low cost ways to make this place feel like home. More about me and my family